Alan Pardew has challenged his Newcastle side to avoid a third straight home defeat when they play Maritimo in the Europa League on Thursday.

Alan Pardew is determined for his side to ensure their recent losing streak is short-lived (Picture: Reuters/Action Images)

The Magpies lost 2-1 to Swansea at St James’ Park this weekend having been beaten 1-0 by West Ham six days earlier.Pardew said: ‘We certainly don’t want to lose three home games on the trot that would be a blow.‘It’s a big game. If we win, it guarantees qualification [to the knockout stage]. We need to get one hurdle out of the way and then look for our first Premier League away win in the next game. They are the two immediate hurdles in front of us.’

Newcastle have hit a dip in form since the heights of last season, having won just one of their last seven Premier League outings.

But it’s been a better story for Pardew’s side in Europe, as the Magpies currently sit top of Group D with two wins and two draws to their name, while Thursday’s visitors Maritimo are bottom of the group with just two points.